“Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.” ―
The wedding went off without a hitch. I’m still recuperating.
I have had my eyes on the Church of the Highlands for years. Chris Hodges, lead pastor of Church of the Highlands and Overseer of the ARC, has a side gig in which he helps to restore a pastor who supposedly had a naughty little affair (Hodges term, not mine.). Here is everything you probably never wanted to know about the Association of Related Churches.
In this post, you will see their rather strange views on demons (There are few demons wherever there are flowers) and Robert Morris, another overseer, believes that Paul was afflicted by demons and that people need to get exorcised on a regular basis. I get regular emails asking me to forward the *Demon* training material that several members had shared with me.
You will even learn of the affair of Dino Rizzo who was whisked out of his church (without having to cop to the lady he put up in an apartment.) He and his family were allegedly sent off to vacation and he returned to become a pastor at the Church of the Highlands. He has done well and is now the Executive Director of the ARC. This must be how the ARC recruits dynamic pastors.
Church of the Highlands finally had to kick out one of their restorees: Michan Carter.
Is restoree a word? It should be.
I wonder if the #Churchtoo is getting a bit too hot to handle for the ARC. AL.com posted: Church of the Highlands cuts ties with minister accused of sex abuse.
As allegations of sexual abuse against a former pastor took hold on social media, the Church of the Highlands has cut ties with the accused minister they had agreed to help rehabilitate.
Micahn Carter, former pastor of Together Church in Yakima, Washington, had stepped down in April 2019 from Together Church for undisclosed reasons. Carter joined the staff of the Church of the Highlands in Birmingham later in 2019.
Please note the bolded comment: he stepped down from his original church for undisclosed reasons. This is how the ARC overseer crowd operates. When Hodges stepped in to whisk off Rizzo he asked the church members of his former church to “trust” those incredibly gifted overseers. I bet they’re glad that I’m not in one of those churches. So, it appears that the members of Together Church decided to trust the ARC once again. However, this one came back to bite the ARC/Church of the HIghlands in the nose. They deserved it.
Here is the statement that the Church of the Highlands released.
In 2019, Micahn Carter’s Pastoral Overseers from Washington state asked Church of the Highlands to assist them in directing a ministerial restoration process for him,” the statement said. “Highlands agreed to do so, and since then we have been working with Micahn and his family. Recently, Highlands received correspondence raising new allegations about events that occurred over two years ago in Washington state. When we shared this information with the Carters, they resigned from their positions on staff to work through these issues themselves. Highlands is no longer involved in the restoration process.”
Notice the bolded part of the statement. It appears that the Carters knew what happened since they resigned right away. However, rape is not an issue! Rape is a crime and the Church of the Highlands are masters of downplaying icky things…
Micahn Carter is accused of rape.
Before I get into this sad account, I would love to know what the Church of the Highlands (COH) knew. Was this rape one of those *undisclosed reasons?* Please note that the COH claims there were plural *undisclosed reasons.* What did they know when they brought him on board in 2019? Did they know about the rape and did they hope that the victim wouldn’t talk or was there more sexual behavior swept under the carpet?
Take a look at this statement on Reddit. Today’s article on the Yakima Herald regarding Micahn Carter. He was the pastor of Together Church before running away to Alabama.
Here is one comment which seems to indicate that staff members at the Together Church knew what happened. The website of the church appears to be down.
When the cover up was going down, there was a small group of individuals who were closest to Micahn Carter and his conniving and bitter wife April Carter. They consequently were also staff members. Those staff members towed the line week after week stating “we don’t know what happened” as 100s of people wanted to know the truth and asked those staff members for the truth. Turns out those staff member knew EXACTLY what happened and were instrumental in covering up the true story (see Mary Jones’s confession)
They accuse the COTH of taking charge of things and spiriting fallen pastor away. Is this true? What does the COTH know when they *restore* a pastor. Do they ignore the fact the clerical abuse is not only wrong but against the law in some states?
Mary Jones accuses Carter of rape
On 7/21/21, Medium posted Mary Jones’ story: Moving Forward. Here is what she says about herself and her job at the church.
I served in that same church for 7 years and was hired on staff as Assistant to the Lead Pastor and his wife, who served as Executive Pastor, where I served for 1 year. My duties were never clearly explained to me, so I stepped in wherever I could. Laundry, school pick-up for their children, errands; I would do it all simply because I felt so honored that they would ask me to be their assistant.
I carried a lot of shame being a single mom learning to navigate dating and I sure did not feel anywhere qualified to work for a church.
This appears to be grooming behavior.
It’s hard to pinpoint where exactly dynamics changed or assume it was all disingenuous. Our pastor was very lovey; kissing our cheeks and always hugging us and complimenting us. It felt fatherly and, to be honest, I was grateful to have a father figure to protect me because I really longed for that.
She became isolated, only listening to the pastor.
My pastors included me in a lot of areas in their lives. My pastor would let me work in his office, he would ask my opinion on things as would his wife, they would encourage me, tell me when I looked pretty and correct me. When boys wanted to date me, they had to go through him. I hadn’t had that before. It created a space where I felt completely safe and trusted them — and only them.
The apparent grooming behavior continued.
There was one instance where my pastor made inappropriate comments referring to having dreams about me.
…He continued toward me, hugging me and then attempting to grab me and pull me in, grabbing my backside sexually.
It appears that he blames her for this behavior.
He later told me that I had a “spirit of sexuality” on me and that I had caused the moment.
She was eventually raped by the pastor in spite of saying “no.”
However, on April 29th, 2019, during a leadership event right before leaving for dinner, my pastor raped me in my office while most of our staff, teams and my family stood just outside the door.
Sadly, the pastor confessed to an *affair” which was baloney.
My mom ended up taking me to a therapist’s house who called a trauma therapist to meet me the next day. We developed a plan for me to be able to quit without throwing the pastor’s life away publicly because I truly wanted his family to be okay. I would spend the remainder of the week at home and making sure that their son’s birthday would still go
well, even though I was leaving. However, 4 days later my pastor confessed to “an affair.”
Mary’s account of her abuse is heart-wrenching. It is obvious that this was a non-consensual encounter. I do believe that Mary should report what happened to the police since rape is a crime.
What did the COTH/ARC know when they whisked him away to Alabama?
One person on Reddit made this claim.
Is this true? I have no idea but it doesn’t surprise me. However, I think it is time for COTH/ARC to wake up and consider that they may be terribly wrong about whom they choose to “restore.”
‘Uncomfortable question for COTH/ARC
I wonder if COTH ever reaches out to the victims or do they spend all of their tithe money in attempting to restore pastors who abuse women? How do the women who attend COTH feel about their hard-earned money going to support these fallen pastors?
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1
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These two statements from Mary Jones’s story on Medium stood out, as well.
“It’s not flattering when your hero looks at you sexually.”
“There wasn’t really a manual for how to politely turn your boss, pastor and father figure down but still maintain a relationship and keep your job.”
Pastors (at least those who don’t realize this already), every woman you meet is NOT actually sexually attracted to you. There is far less need for the “Billy Graham” rule than you may like to admit.
And she is so right about there not being a manual when it comes to bosses/pastors/professors/kings (Here’s looking at you, King David) /etc.
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Same with the James Dobson rule of not looking at, especially not smiling at, other men drivers while busy running your errands out there on the road. No need for another Old Guy Thinking Every Woman Wants Him Rule.
Projection.
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The order of any comment…if it really is a comment of worth…is irrelevant. When ranked, the importance of the topic is demeaned and belittled and ignored. If only I could understand or be given a valid reason for comment ranking. This post is very disturbing. My comment is worthless. Is this an inside joke? Not funny given the topic.
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No matter the number of times people have brought up similar concerns, no matter whether the topic from rape to other forms of abuse, it seems that priority persists in an unwavering manner.
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“Robert Morris … believes that Paul was afflicted by demons and that people need to get exorcised on a regular basis”
Starting with Morris!
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“… church members … to “trust” those incredibly gifted overseers …”
I repeat, you simply can’t afford to do that these days! Before you “trust” any church leader, test the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1). Don’t blindly follow just any old leader … TWW is replete with stories of those who followed some pretty bad boys.
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“Rape is a crime”
Indeed, don’t call the pastor restoration boys … call 911!
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“He later told me that I had a “spirit of sexuality” on me and that I had caused the moment.”
Oh brother … a guy who himself is demon-possessed to commit an awful crime pulls out the “spirit” card against someone else. Any church which falls for this is out of their spiritual mind.
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Sounds like the atttiude of an egotistical womanizer, i.e. “I’m God’s Gift to Women”.
In the words of the prophet Right Said Fred:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5mtclwloEQ
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“THEY’RE HERE! THEY’RE THERE! THEY’RE EVERYWHERE! DEMONS! DEMONS! DEMONS!”
Just like a Witchfinder-General seeing WITCHES! WITCHES! WITCHES! in every closet and under every bed.
With the oh-so-Delicious Ego-Boo of “I’M THE Mighty Demon Fighter (or Witch-Sniffer)!”
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Is that the same Robert Morris who’s always pan-handling-and-huckstering on TBN and Daystar?
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This is how you Blame the Woman while Virtue Signalling your Godliness.
(As well as sounding like a Mighty Demon Fighter/Witch-sniffer.)
And Max, you’re making the same mistake by explaining Pastor Superapostle as “demon-possessed”. Human Egotism and Horniness (“Because I Wanna!”) with a thick coat of Christianese paint explains it well enough. Use the right buzzwords and “conmanship”, and a lot of Christians will fall for anything.
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I think this can be explained by a talk-show phone-in during Monicagate:
(Beavis & Butthead voice): “YOU’RE JUST JEALOUS OF CLINTON BECAUSE HE SCOOOORED! HEH-HUH! HEH-HUH! HEH-HUH!”
And “ATTABOY!” fist-pumps from other frat-boy Pastors & Elders.
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I swear, all that Christianese hoogah-boogah-mumbo-jumbo is almost as funny as it is ludicrous.
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When in reality, those kinds of guys (ixtian or no) make women want to vomit.
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Yes … who I suspect had a hand in “restoring” Driscoll (thanks a lot Robert!). He’s also the same Robert Morris who called Christian watchblogs “Satan’s Hit List.”
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I suppose you’re right HUG. Scripture says that which comes against church folks can be lumped into three categories: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Many of these “pastors” fall through temptations of the flesh – they just can’t keep their pants on. Yep, the world and the flesh lure many of these bad-boys into sin without the devil getting involved at all.
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Thank you for your insight and wisdom, and yes, it seems to be true. (I must be just as guilty, as my ongoing concern is not really relevant and adds nothing to the conversation’s topic. Or, does it? A 1 hurts me all over again. I don’t know what it means.)
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Max,
And if you think about it, “blaming the devil” is a great way to dodge/deflect responsibility..
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Yeah, that’s almost as bad as dragging David into your mess.
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“Mary’s account of her abuse is heart-wrenching.” Yes, I read her story on Medium.
Thank God, she told her story.
#ICANTKEEPQUIET
https://youtu.be/2tF5OklolsQ
“But no one knows me, no one ever will
If I don’t say something, if I just lie still”
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Max,
I use to laugh at the “devil made me do it” routine from the 70’s… now it has become “legit” cop-out…
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As much as these guys drag David’s story into their sin & “restoration”, I’m surprised that they don’t say “David made me do it.”
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Everytime I think about “restored” fallen pastors, Driscoll pops to mind. What were they thinking?!!
You will find no examples in the New Testament of pastors who committed immoral sin being restored to the pulpit (and don’t go dragging David into this again). IMO, a “pastor” who commits such gross sin is permanently disqualified from ministry. Forgive them if they genuinely repent? Certainly. Restore them to the pulpit? NO!!
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I’ve always been much more impressed with Jael, and how she fixed Sisera’s wagon but good.
And Deborah too.
I read a piece years ago written by one of the CBMW boys who tried to claim that Deborah was not a ‘real’ leader of Israel and that she carefully stuck to the boundaries for women allegedly marked out by God.
In my opinion?
Pure horse poo-poo.
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Those number comments really don’t mean anything. I suppose that for some of us, its just a weird way of lightening the load.
It’s almost a tradition to do that on TWW. Dee used to recognize whoever made the first comment … then we moved on to “gold medal”, “silver medal”, etc. The numbers were/are never meant to insult or hurt anyone. A “gold medal” comment even resulted in a debate about flour when the discussion of the topic has subsided. Sometimes some of us just need a momentary break from the severity of the topic and discussions.
And, your comments are not worthless – far from it. I’ve no doubt that everyone on TWW would agree with me.
Even when I don’t have the energy to comment myself, I still read. Just keep commenting, jojo
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Yeah, I think Jael is more my style than vomiting.
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Muff Potter,
If one HONESTLY, with a TRUE open MIND, ( which is actually impossible) reads the Bible and attempts to understand the culture in which it was written, MANY, MANY preconceived assumptions will be shaken…
if one truly believes G$d transcendence space and time,( i.e. the various “omnies” that one learns about taking a theology/doctrine class), these “challenges” should occur….. how can finite, fallen, man comprehend G$d…. ???
this is what really bothers me about the Calvanista’s … their various “ pronouncements” tell me they have a “G$d in a box”…
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Yep. Ladies, please be sure to wear your burkas at all times.
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With the CBMW set, that would mean barefoot, pregnant, and in a burka.
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Does anyone have the URL to the Precious Moments version of Jael?
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Give them time…
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It’s actually called “The Geraldine Defense” after the Flip Wilson character.
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Max,
After running into one Spiritual Warfare type too many, you tend to go to a supernatural explanation only when natural explanations have been exhausted.
That said, I have had two paranormal experiences in my life which DID exhaust all natural explanations. One was a simple “seeing a spook”, the other actually fit all those Spiritual Warfare/Demon Encounter tropes except not in the usual Christianese Testimony manner. (Another reason I’m skeptical of too-pat Supernatural accounts – Reality is a lot messier than the stuff you hear on Testimony Night.)
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http://wp.production.patheos.com/blogs/exploringourmatrix/files/2016/04/Jael-Precious-Moments.jpg
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Wonder if Dobson & his ilk would self-identify with the Taliban.
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That’s probably because I’ve experienced things in my long Christian walk that can only be explained supernaturally. Every believer’s journey of faith is different, HUG. Fortunately, I’ve been able to steer clear of some of the whacko side trips.
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In my experience, men with the biblical manhood/womanhood mindset will choose the explanation that best fits the “men are superior and women are inferior at all times” narrative.
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Jael can’t hold a candle to good old Judith, who — like Gilbert and Sullivan’s Katisha — is “just a teeny weeny wee bit bloodthirsty.”
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Absolutely brilliant comment. And the part about the Billy Graham rule is so spot-on. These dudes really do think they are babe magnets, don’t they?
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OK, I am guffawing. LOL.
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Seriously. When the “fruits” of your denomination’s theology are more similar to extremists of a completely different religion than mainliners of your own… there’s a problem somewhere. And it’s not the mainliners.
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Which is funny, considering the first thought I had when realizing I’d been Billy Graham’ed by the pastor was, “Uhm, in your dreams.”
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This is what turns me off to so much of Christian culture. God is like a pet . . .
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And there are a LOT of wackos out there.
(And I must have run into one of every type at some point…)
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I’m sorry this causes you so much pain. It’s good that you’re trying to figure out why that hurts you so. I share Nancy2’s sentiments.
Maybe this will help. TWW has a super tolerant comment board, unlike what a lot of us have experienced at church or in our families. Once in awhile somebody writes something that I profoundly disagree with, but at least I have heard their viewpoint. The comment format gives me a chance to reflect, respond if I wish, or see what others in the group have to say.
Likewise this comment board is not a free for all. That takes work and a deft hand behind the scenes. A lot of boards are either “Amen amen amen” or “You’re a fool … Oh yeah? Takes one to know one.”
Discomfort with some comments actually helps me understand why others believe as they do. Over time it has helped me understand past abuse in my life. Some comments don’t have much value for me, but I can live with that. I cannot have a lot of these conversations in real life.
Please keep commenting.
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That.
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Or a conjured/familiar spirit used by the conjuring sorcerer as an Enforcer.
(Both Appalachian and PA Dutch lore are full of Hexen & Conjure-Men using their supernatural powers or threat of same – whether familiar spirits or just ability to curse – for Extortion.)
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Now I remember, he also said on fundagelical TV that if you (generic you) don’t ante up with some cash sent his way, you’re stealing from God.
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As I recall, Robert Morris preached a series of sermons about demons, and said that the result of stealing from God (via giving less than his church calculated for the tithe) would result in demons getting inside people through little doors.
I first heard about “demon doors” in high school, and it frightened me even though I didn’t believe it. Threatening people in this way is base.
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jojo,
I’ve been following this blog for a number of years and was initially struck the same way. But then drstevej shared some comments about himself and about other issues that totally changed my perspective. The folks that are on the blog all the time and jump in there first really do care. That is why they are following the blog. Drstevej does not mean anything by it at all. The last time you complained about it he disappeared for weeks. Let him alone. Let him be a part of the community he has been a part of for years. Yes it is a joke. And we like drstevej. We care about you, too. Let it go.
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jojo,
I think of it as kids jostling to be first in line. The joke is the immaturity of it. The “mature” response is eye rolling and statements like “Oh, for crying out loud!
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Thank you to those who are trying to explain to me the “1.”
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jojo,
🙂
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Morris is a grifter, and grifters grift.
What better way than to use the fear of the simple minded to shake them down?
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Pulpits presiding over pockets in pews. Church. Someone goes home enriched, while the rest go emptied of their hard-earned wages, depleted, with nothing.
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Looks like the church may now be a location for another multi-site called Champions Centre. Googled the address of Together Church (509 N 4th St, Yakima, WA 98901) and came up with the other church too. Champions Centre is another ARC church.
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Headless Unicorn Guy,
“After running into one Spiritual Warfare type too many, you tend to go to a supernatural explanation only when natural explanations have been exhausted.
…paranormal experiences in my life which DID exhaust all natural explanations. …not in the usual Christianese Testimony manner. (Another reason I’m skeptical of too-pat Supernatural accounts – Reality is a lot messier than the stuff you hear on Testimony Night.)
+++++++++++++++
yes, no stranger to spiritual stuff, here.
but when you hear too many times that “God’s doing somethin’!” every time someone gets that miracle parking space as well as every time no parking space is to be found, (as well as supernatural cause with great personal significance ascribed to every other innocuous thing that happens and doesn’t happen),
…it all becomes meaningless. sort of like when the evil Syndrome says “and when everyone is super, no one will be.” (in his plan to sell ‘super powers’ in Pixar’s The Incredibles)
i’ve long stopped reading things into everything (as if all that happens is God handing me a cup of tea leaves to discern).
i’ve opted for a practical and matter of fact life, enjoying beauty simply for its own sake, and rolling my eyes at everything else. (except human suffering).
it’s made for a much simpler and happier life.
i take out the spiritual ‘equipment’ only when the the occasion truly warrants it.
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Nancy2(aka Kevlar),
“Those number comments really don’t mean anything. I suppose that for some of us, its just a weird way of lightening the load.”
+++++++++++++
like being a kid again, just for a moment.
like chewing bubble gum and blowing bubbles for a few minutes just for fun. or chasing family or friend around the house with with a nerf darts.
just little bursts of sunshine, when the weight of the world is on one’s shoulders.
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Max,
“Everytime I think about “restored” fallen pastors,…”
+++++++++++
bah…gag…
it’s another newfangled manufactured idea (so new you can smell the warm plastic) which christian culture latches onto like it’s as fundamental as sliced bread.
no, it’s a manufactured molded plastic toy.
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Muff Potter,
“I swear, all that Christianese hoogah-boogah-mumbo-jumbo is almost as funny as it is ludicrous.”
++++++++++++++
someone gets ‘causy’ as a new hobby (or as they exploit sheer opportunism), and suddenly the other side is declared ‘demonic’.
it’d be tasty dark comedy, but they’re sort of a danger to themselves & others.
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One of these “God’s Gift to Women” used to live next door to me some years ago. Had half his garage refitted as a gym, weights and all. AND a HUGE mirror covering one wall (of the garage!) so he could watch himself work out. The Mirror was what got me.
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Not so funny when YOU’re the Witch they’re smelling out.
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There’s a version of that outside the church, where the “supernatural causes” are more Occult than Divine. Local FRP game fandom called them “MoMMs” – “Masters of Mighty Magick”. These wannabe Alistair Crowleys were Legende in Their Own Minds and Laughingstocks in everyone else’s. On a par with the 90-lb (40 kilo) wet noodle who claims to REALLY be a Ninja.
The two funniest MoMM encounter stories came from a gamer bud in Glendale who originated the term and was cursed with the ability to always run into these guys who’d always try to hit him up for money.
1) After getting hit up for money one time too many, informant countered with “If you’re such a Master of Mighty Magick, why don’t you just CONJURE yourself some cash?” MoMM drew himself up and replied “I’m s Sorcerer, not an Alchymist.” (This was where the expression “MoMM” got started.)
2) In a separate incident, informant came back with “Your sad devotion to that Ancient Religion has not given you the knowledge of where your next meal is coming from, OR the wisdom to recognize it when it does.” He broke contact and got out of there after that comeback line.
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“One is the loneliest number that you ever knew…”
— Three Dog Night
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elastigirl,
As someone that is involved in developing and working with medical technology, I am acutely aware of its limitations, as well as humans lack of knowledge of human diseases….
So many times over the years I have cringed over “testimonials” of “ miracles” of “healings” …… and, the association of bad outcomes to supernatural causes..
Bottom line, there is so much we do not know, but people want to have answers, and “proof”…. I would argue that real faith should not depend on such “supernatural events”…we need to do our most, and then accept the outcomes… otherwise, we go down paths that led to conclusions that are sketchy, at best..
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Headless Unicorn Guy,
We can ask God for anything. Being God, He’ll answer as He sees fit. Then our next task is to be grateful for His answer.
There are a bunch of these miracle chasers running around in the book of Acts, in the NT. The disciples did not suffer fools lightly, nor making a mockery of God doing stuff beyond our comprehension & ability. So ridiculous it’s laughable yet not a joke. Consequences for the tricksters.
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AMEN.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…”
I believe it because I HOPE it’s true, not because I ‘know it’ to be true.
Big difference.
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I think I’d soften that idea… probably reacting to the word “task.”
We knew a young couple whose overseas honeymoon was interrupted by a natural disaster in which thousands died. The couple said that God protected them because of their prayers. Most who died were locals in a country with few Christians. I can understand the gratitude for survival, but wasn’t God also with those who prayed and perished? Are the survivors supposed to be grateful for the answer?
I think we can be grateful to have God in our lives at all times and under all circumstances. We can feel held, understood, comforted; Scripture meets us in every emotional and physical state. But I think even this is optional, our choice. An omniscient God, or even a moderately savvy God, will understand that crime victims, the gravely ill, and mourners often feel abandoned and betrayed.
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My favorite being the Seven Sons of Sceva.
The Bob Larsons of their day, Mighty Spiritual Warriors casting out DEMON after DEMON after DEMON.
Until the day they ran into a REAL one.
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As of Saturday afternoon, Church of the Highlands no longer listed Carter on its staff page, and Carter made no mention of his employment at the church on his Instagram.